Emerson’s Zero-Emissions Valve Technology Helps Oil and Gas Company Meet Strict Emissions Standards

Laramie Energy deployed ASCO zero-emissions electric dump valves to comply with state regulations, reduce maintenance and boost productivity

Emerson, a global technology and software company, has successfully partnered with Laramie Energy, a Colorado-based oil and gas producer, to achieve compliance with state and federal emissions regulations. The collaboration centered around the implementation of ASCO™ zero-emissions electric dump valves, a groundbreaking all-electric solution for separators, scrubbers, and compression units.

“기존의 공압식 밸브와는 달리, 우리 현장 작업자들은 더 이상 전기 덤프 밸브를 지속적으로 조정할 필요가 없습니다.”

– Lane Kizer, Automation Coordinator, Laramie Energy

The innovative technology addresses a critical issue in the oil and gas industry: the leakage of well gas into the atmosphere through conventional dump valves. With some states, including Colorado, imposing strict emissions regulations and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishing waste emissions charges for excessive methane emissions, companies face significant financial and operational risks for non-compliance.

Emerson’s ASCO zero-emission electric dump valves offer a superior alternative to traditional systems. Utilizing ultra-low-power electric actuation, these valves eliminate the need to vent well gas in upstream applications. Their design, which lacks valve packing, ensures they are inherently free from fugitive emissions.

The precision of ASCO electric dump valves is remarkable, with actuation times of 50 to 75 milliseconds compared to several seconds for conventional valves. This rapid response virtually eliminates the risk of gas blowby, allowing Laramie Energy to maintain better static pressure in their vessels and ultimately increase natural gas production.

Energy efficiency is another significant advantage of the new technology. The ASCO valves consume only 1.2 watts of power, a stark contrast to the 96 watts used by conventional electric retrofit kits, resulting in a 98.75% reduction in valve power usage.

Michael Land, sales development manager with Emerson’s discrete automation business, highlighted the versatility of the solution: “Though initially designed for legacy well sites, these fully electric dump valves can help oil and gas companies achieve compliance and avoid red tape on both newly drilled production sites and existing production sites to meet new standards.”

Laramie Energy, which operates approximately 1,500 wells in the Rocky Mountains region, has implemented the ASCO electric dump valves in both newly drilled and legacy wells. The company reports not only improved regulatory compliance but also additional benefits such as reduced maintenance requirements and enhanced well efficiency.